MINUTES FOR THE CRAOA FALL BUSINESS MEETING
Tuesday, November, 6, 2001

Meeting called to Order by VP Football Dan Hilby at 7:00 pm.

The sign-in sheet was circulated for member roll call.

Minutes of the last meeting were available for each member to review. Paul Schuetz moved to accept the minutes as written and handed out. Sonny (?) 2nd. Motion Passed.

Financial Report given by Exec. Secretary Primrose. Motion to accept Financial report by Warren Byerly. 2nd by (?). Motion passed.

President's Report and Executive Committee Report given by VP Dan Hilby. Dan discussed concerns raised by the Exec. Committee on professionalism and ethics. It is becoming evident that the reputation of the organization is not up to previous standards. The committee feels that some positive steps are necessary to restore our organization tc the highest levels of professionalism possible. In the past the CRAOA was the state's premier officials association. We want to regain that status.

Executive Secretary's Report given by Pinky Primrose. Pinky followed up on Dan's report with the following information: Part 11 test scores are steadily declining, getting negative feedback from schools on some member crews, and a decline in members getting play-off games. Pinky offered suggestions on improving schedules and appearance. He suggested that we make the requirements for membership stand and discontinue a policy of leniency towards members missing meetings and not taking the test, etc. In other words, we need to get tougher. He asked the questions: "What kind of an organization do we want?", "Shall we let members slide on requirements?", "Do we want these people in the association?". Pinky again suggested we put teeth back into the organization!

Bill Yeisley added some comments from the steering committee discussion. He asked members to improve personal appearance when going to the game site. He reminded them that the evaluation of the crew begins with walking in the door. Bill also commented on the need for better pre-game duties by most crews. He also said he has sensed a lax attitude in recent years within the association. Bill informed the group that evidently some incidents of double booking are taking place by association members. This is ethically unacceptable and reflects very poorly on the organization as a whole. Bill asked the group to renew the PRIDE in the CRAOA.

Exec. Sec. Pinky Primrose detailed the communications he has handled relating to the association. This included the letters of exception from members not meeting all the requirements of membership, due to business or serious personal conflicts. Pinky announced that a Lifetime Achievement award would be given to local sportscaster Bob Brooks. Member awards for years of service were listed and corrections/omissions were asked for.

Larry Walderbach, Head of the FB Training program, gave his report on applying officials. The following officials were recommended for full membership in the CRAOA: Matt Fandel, Chad Pohorsky, and Mike Wennenkamp. Larry Talbott moved to accept the recommendation of the training committee and give full membership to these applying Step 11 officials. 2nd by Warren Byerly. Motion approved. The training committee recommended the following Step I officials be advanced to Step 11: Bob Barta, Robert Harbin, and Dave Miller. Larry Walderbach's recommendation was put in the form of a
motion. 2nd by (?). Motion passed. The remaining officials in Step I and Step 11 did not meet minimum requirements and will stay at their current levels.

A reminder was given on the annual Fall Banquet. It will be Monday, November 19, 2001, Social Hour starts at 6:15 prn with dinner at 7:00 pm. The speaker will be Rick Hartzell. Mr. Hartzell is the AD at UNI and a former CRAOA member and Big 10 Official. Bob Brooks will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

A discussion followed on the training program for new officials. The idea of renewing the Mentor program was also discussed. This was followed with comments on recruiting newofficials.

The Executive Committee submitted two names as nominees for the position of VicePresident for Football. They are: Dave Brousard and Darwin Carstensen. Nominations were opened to the floor. Warren Byerly nominated Jeff Drahozal. There were no more nominations and nominations were closed. Following a paper ballot by the members present, Dave Brousard was announced as the new Vice-President elect for Football.

Paul Schuetz moved to adjourn. 2nd by Dan Moore. Motion passed with enthusiasm.

VP Football Dan Hilby adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:10 pm.

Respectively submitted,
Richard B. "Dick" Pohorsky, Past President, CRAOA